Sindhu is special because she has Gopi for support: Gopi's wife PVV Lakshmi

After PV Sindhu's achievement at the Olympics, India has finally given the credit that was due to Gopichand and his academy. After all, producing two Olympic medalists in 4 years is no simple feat. The 'factory of Indian badminton champions' was however not made in a day, or even a decade, and Gopi has had to face numerous hardships in his journey.

Our targets were only national, there would not be any international ambitions. There would be many hangers-on who would constantly discourage us — 'kuch nahi kar sakte bahar jake' types. “Now no one talks about the nationals, everyone's ambitions are global, Olympics, and world championships.

Lakshmi said, "Sindhu has what I didn't have back then - my husband as coach,"

"Sindhu is special because she has Gopi for support. He is her biggest asset. I am not saying because he is my husband but because of the commitment the coach has shown for her. I have no regrets in my career but If I had had a coach as committed as Gopi is, I would have done very well,” reported Mirror.

She did not know how to close the matches. But she has become mentally and physically strong and has developed aggression. You could see that in the Olympics. I am really proud of her for being the youngest woman medallist of the country."

Lakshmi also described the vision that the Gopichand academy has looked to reach, and the areas where they have brought about a sea of changes in. She said, "What we are trying to do at the academy is to eliminate the difficulties we faced. Back then, the main stadium would be unavailable for months due to political and social events. Once, the entire stadium was shut because the ballot boxes were kept there.

Speaking about Gopichand and his passion and commitment, Lakshmi added, “He gives his all and expects the same from the students. There is no other passion in his life than coaching. Sometimes he would be so lost in his own world that he would not know who are around him. He would not even know that I am talking to him. I literally have to shake him up. That kind of intensity, focus and commitment... I have never seen in any other such coach.

He lives in literally in the academy - conducting different sessions from 10 year-old to 30-year-olds. He goes there at 4 am returns only after 7 pm with two-hour lunch break. Sometimes, it gets slashed by one hour. We get to spend quality time only for an hour in the evenings.